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.Devil's Brood by: Sharon Kay Penman October 02, 2008 Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine thought they had it all - the greatest empire since Charlemagne, healthy children including the heir and several to spare - so how did it all go so wrong? The Devil's Brood takes up the story where Time and Chance left off with the murder of Thomas Becket, as Henry returns from his self imposed exile to Ireland. Henry's three eldest sons are chafing at the bit to have lands and power of their own and egged on by Louis of France they join with their mother Eleanor in rebellion against their father. In time Henry quells the rebellion and forgives his sons, but he cannot forgive his wife and queen and he imprisons her. Even though Henry forgave his sons, they are still not happy with his generosity and ... Read More: >>See More Reviews & Details on Devil's Brood |
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.Falls the Shadow by: Sharon Kay Penman August 08, 2008 This, the second part of Sharon Penman's Welsh/Norman trilogy, focuses mainly on the career of the "greatest soldier in Christendom" and the oft-called father of representative government, Simon de Montfort. The book's other focus is on Wales, particularly the northern principality of Gwynedd, divided and beset by enemies after the death of Llewelyn Fawr. The story of Simon de Montfort is a thrilling one, and Penman brings him to life in these pages with her usual skill. The English monarchy is shown in a far less sympathetic light, and no wonder, since Henry III was one of England's weakest kings, petty, vindictive and vacillating. His greatest achievement was undoubtedly in his offspring, for there were few medieval kings greater than Edward ... Read More: >>See More Reviews & Details on Falls the Shadow |
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.Prince of Darkness (Medieval Mysteries (Penguin)) by: Sharon Kay Penman March 07, 2006 Sharon K. Penman has written many historical novels, many of them large volumes of several hundred pages, all diligently researched and all of them highly acclaimed by the reading public. The novels featuring Justin de Quincey have been equally popular and take place in the late 12th century. This is the fourth book in the Justin de Quincey series, a character we first came across in The Queen's Man, published in 1996. De Quincey can be likened to a modern day private detective, although he does his detecting work in the late 12th century. He is proud to call himself the Queen's man, the queen in question being Eleanor of Aquitaine, wife of the late Henry II and mother of Richard the Lionheart. Bowing to an urgent summons from his former ... Read More: >>See More Reviews & Details on Prince of Darkness (Medieval Mysteries (Penguin)) |
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.Dragon's Lair (Ballantine Reader's Circle) by: Sharon Kay Penman 2004-11 Sharon Penman's writing style is a joy. Though her books are by no means lightweight reading, the narrative just seems to flow from the pages. This books is another of her mystery offerings featuring Justin de Quincy. Richard the Lionheart, son of Eleanor of Aquitaine has been captured and is languishing in a German jail. At the same time his brother John is making his own plans to take the throne of England. The Queen has already made her own plans to ransom her son Richard, but one of the ransom payments goes missing in the hills of Wales and Eleanor sends her trusted servant Justin de Quincy to investigate. Murder and mayhem soon follow. One of the things I like about Penman is that she is at pains to try to stick to the historical facts ... Read More: >>See More Reviews & Details on Dragon's Lair (Ballantine Reader's Circle) |
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.When Christ and His Saints Slept: Ballentine Books Edition by: Sharon Kay Penman April 02, 1996 Sharon Penman is one of the best writers of historical fiction living today. This book is the first in a trilogy about Henry II of England and his tumultuous marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine. The book opens some years before Henry's birth and deals with the civil war that ravaged England between 1135 and 1154. The death of Henry I, second son of William the Conqueror, leaves his barons with a dilemma. His only legitimate son has drowned, and he names as his heir his daughter Maude, widow of the Holy Roman Emperor and now married to Count Geoffrey of Anjou. The barons have no desire to be ruled by a woman, and so her cousin Stephen takes the throne. Penman is very fair in her judgment of the main protagonists - Stephen is shown as a courageous man, a good father and devoted husband, ... Read More: >>See More Reviews & Details on When Christ and His Saints Slept: Ballentine Books Edition |
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.The Sunne in Splendour: A Novel of Richard III by: Sharon Kay Penman January 22, 2008 I first read this book when it was published but have just re-read it and feel that I must express my delight and praise for it. I have a particular love of this period (up to 1603-death of Elizabeth 1st.) and the portayal here of Richard of Gloucester is absolutely excellent; I am one of those who, having read about him for many years, believe that he was much maligned and was not a cripple, and did NOT, in fact, have a hump back. Most of the bad press about him stems from Shakespeare's play, when after all, he (Shakespeare that is) had to be careful what he said about the last deposed dynasty and, obviously, the worse they appeared the better for the Tudors. The mystery of his two nephews in the Tower is deftly dealt with here, and, I believe, Penman very likely has arrived at the ... Read More: >>See More Reviews & Details on The Sunne in Splendour: A Novel of Richard III |
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.The Queen's Man: A Medieval Mystery (Medieval Mysteries (Random House Paperback)) by: Sharon Kay Penman 2000-07 An excellent read and as usual with Sharon Penman sticks close to actual events, even though this is a work of fiction. The main carictures blend in well with the actual events and you could imagine them as part of our actual history. >>See More Reviews & Details on The Queen's Man: A Medieval Mystery (Medieval Mysteries (Random House Paperback)) |
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.Prince of Darkness (A Medieval Mystery) by: Sharon Kay Penman March 07, 2006 Sharon K. Penman has written many historical novels, many of them large volumes of several hundred pages, all diligently researched and all of them highly acclaimed by the reading public. The novels featuring Justin de Quincey have been equally popular and take place in the late 12th century. This is the fourth book in the Justin de Quincey series, a character we first came across in The Queen's Man, published in 1996. De Quincey can be likened to a modern day private detective, although he does his detecting work in the late 12th century. He is proud to call himself the Queen's man, the queen in question being Eleanor of Aquitaine, wife of the late Henry II and mother of Richard the Lionheart. Bowing to an urgent summons from his former lover, Justin de Quincey races to Paris. On arrival ... Read More: >>See More Reviews & Details on Prince of Darkness (A Medieval Mystery) |
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.The Reckoning by: Sharon Kay Penman 1992-10 I had read this fantasic novel some years ago and recently I read it again. I am actually not very often inclinded to re-read books but here I was - like some years ago - absolutely hooked and could not put it down. This is historcial novel writing as it should be. "The Reckoning folows Penman's inititial success "The Sunne in Splendour" and is writing with the same knowledge, passion and superb style of writing. Since her first novel she has never disappointed her readers.. The novel re-awakens medieval Wales and England and a long lost time for today's reader. Simply superb!!! >>See More Reviews & Details on The Reckoning |
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.The Queen's Man: A Medieval Mystery (Ballantine Reader's Circle) by: Sharon Kay Penman 1998-04 An excellent read and as usual with Sharon Penman sticks close to actual events, even though this is a work of fiction. The main carictures blend in well with the actual events and you could imagine them as part of our actual history. >>See More Reviews & Details on The Queen's Man: A Medieval Mystery (Ballantine Reader's Circle) |